We require multi page documents to be supplied as a single PDF file, un-imposed and set as single (not facing) pages, ordered sequentially from lowest to highest. You can supply a low-quality mock-up proof that will help us with the imposition of your booklet. Make sure you always include trim marks. All text and photos are to be placed at least 3mm inside the finished size edge (trim or fold edge) of your page to make sure no information is cut off. We require 3mm of bleed on all files. Bleed is the area extending past the finished size edge (trim edge) of your page and allows for a small amount of movement that may occur when your job is being cut to size. For more details download this diagram.

Generally for printing everything needs to be saved as CMYK. These are the four colours (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) that make up every “4 Colour” or “Process” print job. This is different to web and computer display artwork which is generally saved as RGB (Red Green Blue). Therefore files that are produced for web are likely to differ in colour to those printed if left as RGB as the printing software we use then has to convert these colours to CMYK. If you are printing in full colour, please make sure you convert all your images and colours to CMYK before sending them to be printed.
Spot colours such as the Pantone colour library are specific inks used to ensure identical colour matching time after time. There are a number of Pantone colours, each with its own specific number to identify it. Spot colours should be clearly defined in the artwork, as extra colours on top of the four process colours.

When artwork is to be specially die cut, folded or scored, lines should be set/drawn within the artwork in a different spot colour and it’s attributes set to overprint. If possible the artwork should be sent three ways, with artowkr and dieline, artwork only and dieline only.

Resolution for all colour and grayscale images should be set at a minimum of 300 dots per inch. This will give you the maximum quality for printed material while keeping file sizes small enough for digital delivery.

All fonts can cause issues if we need to make alterations to your artwork, as they can vary slightly in name and appearance. To avoid this all fonts must be converted to paths/outlines or embedded within the PDF. This is so we can print your files even if we don’t have your particular font installed on our system.

We cannot always make alterations to supplied PDF files. It is faster, easier and safer for everyone to make the changes and re-submit the files to us. If you have the working files (usually Illustrator .ai or InDesign .indd files) but can’t use them, copy them along with any linked files (images and fonts) and bring them to us to see if we can make the alterations.